Breakaway sign support

ABSTRACT

A structural sign support assembly composed of a plurality of telescopically assembled, perforated tubular members comprising a ground anchor, a reinforcing sleeve and a post member in which the longitudinally perforated tubular ground anchor, whose upper surface is substantially flush with the ground surface or the concrete or asphalt topping alongside a roadway, has its upper portion encompassed by a larger close-fitting longitudinally perforated tubular reinforcing sleeve for rigidity and added strength at a surface level breakaway point. A longitudinally perforated tubular sign support post is telescopically retained within the ground anchor and secured by a bolt member or members extending through aligned perforations of the post, the ground anchor and the reinforcing sleeve. The perforations of the post at or immediately above the top surface of the ground anchor and its supporting sleeve provide a relatively weak breakaway section so that the post will break off on impact from a vehicle or the like above the ground surface without damaging the reinforcing sleeve and the tubular ground anchor with the lower end of the standard or post remaining therein. The post can thereafter be easily removed from the ground anchor which remains in the concrete or soil of the ground for replacement with a new post.

tates Patent lllnited n 1 mesa [54] BREAIKAWAY SIGN SUPPORT 15 Claims,11 Drawing Figs.

[52] US. Cl 52/98, 52/298, 52/726, 52/741, 248/1885 [51] int. Cl E041112/32 [50] Field of Search 52/98, 298, 296,726, 40, 28, 170, 741;94/1.5;40/125; 248/1885 [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,011,59812/1961 Galloway et-al. 52/298 X 3,295,873 1/1967 Attwood ..287/189.36 FX 3.349.531 10/1967 Watson 52/296 3355998 12/1967 Roemisch 94/].5

OTHER REFERENCES Telespar Advertisement from booklet Why TelesparTraffic Supports, Copyright 1963 by Unistrut Corporation, Wayne,Michigan, pages 2 and 12 Primary Examiner-Price C. Faw, Jr. Attorney-Hauke, Gifford and Patalidis ABSTRACT: A structural sign supportassembly composed of a plurality of telescopically assembled, perforatedtubular members comprising a ground anchor, a reinforcing sleeve and apost member in which the longitudinally perforated tubular groundanchor, whose upper surface is substantially flush with the groundsurface or the concrete or asphalt topping alongside a roadway, has itsupper portion encompassed by a larger close-fitting longitudinallyperforated tubular reinforcing sleeve for rigidity and added strength ata surface level breakaway point. A longitudinally perforated tubularsign support post is telescopically retained within the ground anchorand secured by a bolt member or members extending through alignedperforations of the post, the ground anchor and the reinforcing sleeve.The perforations ofthe post at or immediately above the top surface ofthe ground anchor and its supporting sleeve provide a relatively weakbreakaway section so that the post will break off on impact from avehicle or the like above the ground surface without damaging thereinforcing sleeve and the tubular ground anchor with the lower end ofthe standard or post remaining therein. The post can thereafter beeasily removed from the ground anchor which remains in the concrete orsoil of the ground for replacement with a new post.

PATENTED D5821 [an 3,628,296

SHEET 1 OF 2 INVENT'OR HERBERT J. HENRY PATENTED 05021 I971 3,628,296

sum 2 OF 2 BREAKAWAY SIGN suwoa'r BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Fieldof the Invention The present invention refers in general to sign supportpost constructions used alongside roadways and highways, and more inparticular to a structural assembly adapted to break and fall overreadily when struck by a vehicle or the like.

2. Description of the Prior Art The following related prior art isherewith made of record; U.S. Pat. No. 772,928 to W. T. Dunlap, MetallicBase for Posts; U.S. Pat. No. 1,307,655 to W. H. Brown, Collapsible Signand Lighting Post; U.S. Pat. No. 1,499,445 to G. S. Clay, Lamp Post;U.S. Pat. No. 3,308,584 to W. T. Graham, Highway Guide Post; U.S. Pat.No. 3,349,531 to G. H. Watson, Frangible Connector Assembly forStanchions, Poles and Standards; U.S. Pat. No. 3,355,998 to A. V.Roemisch, Highway Marker Device; and U.S. Pat. No. 3,381,427 to G. H.Watson, Frangible and Expandible Assembly for Parking Meter Supports,Stanchions, Poles and Posts.

It is well known that sign support posts are erected at various pointsalongside a roadway and adapted to carry signs, markers, warning lights,reflectors, or like signals for the motorist using the roadway.Temporary sign standards or posts are often driven into the ground alongthe shoulders of the roadway for easy removal and replacement, however,permanent standards or posts along the roadway are usually set in aconcrete post hole for rigid support of the standard or post. Veryfrequently, vehicles traveling along the roadway collide with the signsupport post at various speeds. Depending on the force of impact and therigidity of the construction of the post, and depending on the materialbeing used for the post, whether it be a metal of substantially solidcross section, tubular or channel type, the impact force of the vehiclewill either bend the post to a substantial degree or knock it downcompletely. In either of these cases, the degree of damage to theautomobile, as well as to the post, in most cases is very considerableand may also result in serious injuries to the driver or the occupantsof the vehicle, either due to resistance to the impact or in bending orbreaking toward the impacting vehicle. In some instances, the inherentflexibility of the post will permit it to bend only to a certain degreeand will then deflect against the impacting vehicle with the result ofsecondary damage by the back-bouncing vehicle hitting some other objecton the roadway. Permanent sign support posts are often rigidly anchoredin the ground along the shoulder of the roadway and when struck by avehicle will break off at a relatively high distance above the groundsurface such that the portion of the post thereafter protruding from theground causes additional serious damage to the under carriage of thevehicle traveling over it. Furthermore, the portion of the standard orpost remaining in the ground and protruding therefrom a considerabledistance above it will be a serious hazard liable to cause furtherdamage or injuries. In conventional sign support post constructions,after having been knocked over the inground anchor portion of thestandard or post must be dug out of the ground for replacement with acompletely new anchor and sign support post structure, which, as isreadily apparent, is time consuming and expensive.

Breakaway sign support posts are known, as exemplified by some of theabove listed prior art, and are intended to provide a safety feature toprevent or lessen damage to the colliding vehicle and serious injuriesto its occupants.

Generally, these known structures include a rigid base support for apost which is anchored in or on the ground and to which the abovegroundportion of the post is removably attached, providing a weakenedconnection portion of dissimilar material or the like between the mainportion of the post and the rigid ground base or anchor so as to breakthe post from the base upon impact at a certain magnitude of force. Inthese structures, however, the assembly of the posts are difficult andthe ground base or anchor after severing of the post may be damaged tosuch an extent as not to be reusable, and thus would have to be dug outof the ground for replacement.

LII

Other known breakaway sign support posts utilize shear pins or breakableclips to attach the aboveground portion of the post to the in-groundanchor base. In these instances, the holes for the shear pins or thebolts for the clips upon breakage on impact will be severely damaged soas to need refinishing on the spot, which is difficult to accomplish andcostly. In all of these known structures, there is also present adangerous possibility that the knocked off standard or post upon highspeed impact will be completely severed from the base support and willbe thrown upward and back onto the vehicle or upward and forward intothe path of the moving vehicle causing additional serious damage to thevehicle and injury to its occupants. This is particularly true in casesin which the center of the mass of the standard or post, defined by theposition of the sign or marker supported by the post, is relatively highabove the point of the impact.

It has furthermore been proposed to provide a frangible post connectionbetween the main portion of the post and the ground base comprised of aweakened cross section and a resilient insert held together within thetubular post by a relatively strong bolt, which, however, is pliable tobend on impact without breaking. Thus, as the upper portion of the postis hit by a moving object, the weakened portion of the post collapsesand the post bends over in the direction of impact. However, completeseverance of the post is prevented by the bendable anchor bolt which atthe same time limits the degree at which the post will be displaced fromits vertical position, thus virtually still remaining in the path of thetraveling vehicle which hit the post and thereby liable to inflictsevere damage to the vehicle and possible injuries to the occupants ofthe vehicle.

By means of the present invention, an improved construction and methodfor assembly of a breakaway sign support post has been provided, adaptedto be severed under impact at a certain magnitude of force in such amanner as to avoid and largely eliminate the above referred todisadvantages of devices shown in the prior art.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present improved sign support structurecomprises a telescopic arrangement of a plurality of perforated tubularmembers, including a primary perforated tubular ground anchor memberwhich is driven into the ground adjacent the roadway to a suitable depthwhich may vary according to the type of soil and length of the tubularsupport member. The upper portion of the tubular anchor member isprovided with a reinforcing tubular anchor sleeve telescopicallyarranged around it and which is likewise perforated. The primaryaboveground portion of the post is likewise of tubular perforatedconstruction and is telescopically inserted into the tubular groundanchor member a distance suiting the required height of the sign, andall three tubular members are then securely attached to each other bybolt means extending through aligned perforations of the tubular membersim mediately at or slightly below the ground surface.

In one embodiment, the upper layer of the ground surface may comprise aconcrete foundation or a layer of blacktop, such as is often found alongthe highway shoulders. In this instance, the outer tubular reinforcingsleeve will be the only member of the ground support or anchor which ispositioned in the concrete, such that the upper ends of the sleeve, aswell as the inner tubular ground support, are substantially flush withthe surface of the concrete or blacktop. The concrete is recessed aroundthe upper ends of the ground support anchor members a distance to clearaligned perforations for the extension of the attaching boltstherethrough, which thus will be just below the surface of the concrete.After insertion and securement of the aboveground main portion of thepost, if that post is subjected to an impact force, the post will breakaway substantially immediately above the ground surface and fold over tolie flat on the ground, the perforations in the post providing a weaksection for easy severance of the post from the tubular ground supportanchor member without leaving any appreciable portion of the post orground anchor standing above the ground, which otherwise could beseriously damag-' ing to the vehicle traveling thereover.

In another embodiment of the invention, the composite standard or poststructure is set into a normal compacted ground provided alongside aroadway and in this instance the tubular ground support anchor membertogether with its upper reinforcing sleeve extends slightly above theground surface in order to attach the securing bolt for the abovegroundpost member. When the post member is severed by impact, it will breakaway at the bolt connection because of the weakened perforations,leaving only a small portion of the base support protruding above theground which is not sufficient to further damage the vehicle travelingacross it, or otherwise constitute a hazard.

In either embodiment, as will be more fully described hereinafter, thein-ground base support anchor members will remain completely intact andcan be immediately reused after removal of the lower portion of thesevered standard or post from the tubular base support anchor.

The invention will be more clearly understood by reference to thefollowing detailed description of several preferred embodiments thereof.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The accompanying drawings illustratethe preferred embodiments forming part of the detailed description inwhich like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the severalviews and in which:

FIG. 1 is a cross section view through a portion of the ground alongsidea roadway having a concrete or blacktop surface layer and showing theimproved composite sign standard or post structure in assembled positiontherein;

FIG. 2 is a perspective top view cross section of the improved post andbase support anchor structure shown in FIG. I as seen along line 22thereof;

FIG. 3 shows the improved composite post structure illustrated in FIG. 1in a position of severance from the base support anchor immediatelyafter impact;

FIG. 4 is a cross section similar to FIG. 1 illustrating a groundalongside a roadway without a concrete or blacktop topping;

FIG. 5 is a view similar to FIG. 3 showing the improved composite poststructure in a position of severance from the base support anchorimmediately after impact;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view illustrating the complete severance of theaboveground post member from the base support anchor lying flat on theground similar to the ground illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5 without aconcrete topping; and

FIGS. 7-11 are perspective illustrations of several modified embodimentsof splicing connections between several perforated telescoping tubularpost members used for the repair of salvaged post sections after thepost has been knocked over by impact.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS With reference to FIGS. 1-3,the portion of a ground section is illustrated at 20, which uppersurface is provided with a concrete or blacktop layer 22 to provide amore level, load carrying and wearand weather-resisting surface thannormally provided by an untreated ground surface.

A tubular polygonal relatively long post anchor member 24 is insertedthrough the blacktop or concrete layer 22 and rammed into the ground andpositioned such that the top end 26 of the post anchor member 24 will besubstantially level with the surface 23 of the concrete or blacktop. Aswill be noted, all sides of the tubular polygonal post anchor member 24are provided with a plurality of longitudinally aligned apertures orperforations 28 which, obviously. aid in rigidly retaining the postanchor within the ground 20 by means that the mass of the ground outsideand inside of the tubular post anchor member interlocks with theperforations.

The upper end of the anchor member 24 within the concrete or blacktoplayer 22 is provided with a tubular reinforcing sleeve 30, which is ofthe same polygonal cross section and of slightly larger diameter so asto be pushed over the upper end 26 of the post anchor member 24. Asillustrated, all of the sides of the tubular reinforcing sleeve 30 aresimilarly provided with a plurality of perforations 32, which arepreferably spaced longitudinally at an equal distance with theperforations 28 of the tubular anchor member 24 and in assembly thereinforcing sleeve is disposed on the anchor member such that its upperend will be flush with the upper end of the anchor member and with thesurface of the blacktop or concrete layer as shown, and in this positionthe perforations 32 of the reinforcing sleeve 30 will be axially alignedwith corresponding perforations 28 of the post anchor member 24. Asfurther shown, the reinforcing sleeve 30 is of an axial lengthsubstantially corresponding or only slightly longer than the thicknessof the blacktop or concrete layer 22, whereas a substantial portion ofthe anchor member 24 extends deeper into the ground 20 for the receptionof the aboveground tubular standard or post portion 34, which is ofsmaller cross-sectional dimension than the tubular anchor member 24 tobe telescopically inserted therein for rigid vertical support of thepost.

The above ground standard or post portion 34 is likewise of tubularconstruction, having a polygonal cross section corresponding to thecross section of the anchor member 24 and reinforcing sleeve 30, and issimilarly provided at all sides with a plurality of perforations 36spaced along the post in even distances corresponding to the spacing ofthe perforations 28 and 32 so that in assembly any group of perforations28, 32 and 36 may be selectively aligned. The upper end (not shown) ofthe aboveground post member 34 is adapted, as known per se, to carry asign, marker, bracket or the like (not shown), which can be securelyattached to the post member 34 in any selected height position and toany side thereof by means of the perforations 36. For support, theaboveground post member 34 is inserted into the long tubular post anchor24 to a certain selected depth determined by the length of the postmember, the weight and size of the member supported by the post memberand the desired height of the supported member, such as a road sign,marker or the like. Obviously, if relatively large, flat road signs areto be supported on the post member 34, the post will be inserted deeperinto the tubular ground anchor 24 for maximum rigidity to providesufficient wind resistance support for the sign or marker. Thetelescoping tubular members 24, 30 and 34 are preferably all of thepolygonal cross section to prevent even any slight rotation relative toeach other.

As shown in FIGS. 1-3 and more in detail in FIG. 2, the telescopedtubular post member 34 is securely attached within the composite groundanchor structure composed of the anchor member 24 and reinforcementsleeve 30 by means of an angle bolt 38 extending through alignedperforations of all three tubular members, 24, 30 and 34. As moreclearly seen in FIG. 2, the bolt 38 is formed to provide portionsdisposed at substantially right angles to each other and which isprovided at one end with an enlarged head portion 40 and at the oppositeend with screw threads 42 for the receipt of a lock nut 44. The anchorbolt 38 is inserted through aligned diagonally disposed perforationsacross an inner corner of the tubular members 24, 30 and 34, and thentightened by the nut 44 for maximum rigid connection of the members.This bolt securing arrangement is preferred over a straight through boltconnection since the areas adjacent the corners of tubular polygonalmembers provide maximum resistance to lateral stresses so that crushingor collapsing of the sides of the tubular members upon tightening of thenut 44 is effectively prevented. If desired, two anchor bolts 38 may beused at opposite diagonal comers, however, in most applications one boltwill be sufficient. The particular bolt structure 38 and its mode ofapplication in structural assemblies of this type is disclosed and morefully described in US. Pat. No. 3,295,873 to W. R. Atwood for FastenerElement" and forms no part of the present invention.

The improved composite sign structure of FlGS. 1-3 is erected alongsidethe roadway as follows: The longer tubular anchor member 24 is firstdriven into the ground 24. If only a blacktop surface is providedalongside the roadway, the anchor member 24 can be driven directlythrough the blacktop 22 into the ground without having to drill a holefirst, and is then driven flush with the upper surface of the blacktop.Hereafter, the reinforcing sleeve 30, of shorter length, is driven overthe anchor member 24 and likewise flush with the ground surface. Theprovision of the reinforcing sleeve increases the tubular wall thicknessof the tubular base anchor structure immediately below the groundsurface and to a certain depth thereof to insure sufficient resistanceagainst bending. If the two ground anchor members 24 and are installedby the driving method, the long anchor member is driven into the groundfirst to a depth so as to let the upper portion extend fromapproximately 1 to 2 inches above the ground surface. The reinforcingsleeve 30 is then pushed over the protruding portion of the longeranchor member 24, whereafter both members are driven together into theground until their top surfaces are flush with the top surface of theground. Driving both members simultaneously reduces friction on the longanchor member 24 caused by the dirt or rock formations within theground. The anchor member 24 and reinforcing sleeve 30 are precut suchthat the uppermost perforations are aligned with each other and are justbelow the ground surface.

If the shoulder alongside the roadway on which the sign post is to beerected is already provided with a concrete bed, it will be necessary tobreak a hole in the concrete in order to drive the anchor members 24into the ground, which thereafter can be refilled with concrete.Conversely, the composite tubular anchor members 24 can be driven intothe ground first, as described above, letting them extend above theground a distance of from 4 to 6 inches for the preparation of aconcrete bed around the composite post anchor, which is then leveled offto be flush with the top surfaces of the longitudinally aligned anchormember 24 and reinforcing sleeve 30.

In either instance, where a concrete or blacktop bed is being used, arecess 46 is provided along two sides of the tubular anchor structure,as particularly seen in FIG. 2, to provide a clearance for the fasteningbolt 33 through the uppermost aligned perforations of the anchor member24 and reinforcing sleeve 34). The two-sided recess 46 is preferablydisposed along the sides most likely to be struck by a moving object topermit maximum rigid support around the upper portions of the anchormembers at the opposite side of impact to provide maximum absorption ofthe reaction forces and thus prevent damage or displacement of theanchor members 24 upon impact against the post member 34.

The post member 34 is then inserted within the long anchor member 24 adistance suitable for the particular sign installation and any selectedperforations 36 of the post member 34 are then being aligned with theuppermost aligned perforations of the anchor member 24 and reinforcingsleeve 30 for insertion of the anchor bolt 38 therethrough by means ofthe recess 46 provided in the concrete or blacktop bed. The structure isthen secured by tightening of the nut 44 on the anchor bolt 38.

With particular reference to FIG. 3, at the moment of impact, in thedirection indicated by the arrow, by a moving object such as a, vehicleat a certain magnitude of force against the aboveground standard or postmember 34, it will be seen that the aboveground post member 34 willbreak away immediately above the blacktop or concrete ground surface 23because of the weakened cross section provided by the perforations 34.It will be noted that, if the composite post structure is erected in themanner aforedescribed, the aboveground portion of the post member 34will first break and sever from the in-ground anchor base structure 24,30 at the side of the bolt recess in the concrete or blacktop layer 22and be moved over to the opposite side of impact at which side the upperportion of the composite in-ground anchor base structure is supportedsolidly against the concrete or blacktop layer, thereby preventing anydisplacement or damage of the upper portion of the composite in-groundanchor structure. The momentum of the moving object after impact againstthe post 34, in the direction of the arrow, causes the abovegroundportion of the standard or post member 34 to topple over completely, tolie flat on the ground so as not to cause any further additional damageto the moving object running over it. In most instances, on impact inthe direction of the arrow the aboveground portion of the standard orpost 34 will remain attached at one side to its lower portion 35retained within the post anchor structure at the side opposite the sideof impact, which at the time of repair can easily be cut off. Theaboveground portion of the standard or post 34 at the actual point ofimpact caused, for instance, by the bumper of a vehicle may also breakor snap at that particular point due to the weakened cross sections ofthe perforations of the post lying in a common plane, which will giveway on impact due to the rigid securement of the post within thein-ground base structure and the weight of the supported member atop thestandard or post, which causes a reaction force in opposite directions.The severed sections of the post or standard can be salvaged for reuse,as described later on.

As particularly noted in FIG. 3, the lower portion 35 of the post 34after the aboveground portion of the post has been sheared off by animpact force protrudes only a small distance above the ground surface23, which in no way causes additional damage to the vehicle or otherobject traveling across it. It will further be noted in FIG. 3 that thecomposite anchor base structure formed by the relatively long postanchor 24 and the upper reinforcing sleeve 34 remains completelyuneffected and undamaged so that magnitude, replacement of the sign post34 it will only be necessary to remove the bolt 33 and then pull theremaining lower portion 35 of the severed post 34 out of the long postanchor 24 for replacement with a new or repaired post or standard whichcan be done at a minimum of time and expanse. The primary feature,therefore, is the undamaged retainment of the structural in-groundanchor base composed of the relatively long post anchor 24 and thereinforcing upper sleeve member 30, which can always be reused againwithout any refinishing, aligning, straightening or other mechanicalwork to be done on the spot.

The embodiment in FIGS. 46 illustrates a sign post or standardinstallation within an untreated ground 20, without any leveling or loadsupporting surfacing normally found along secondary roadways. Thecomposite ground support anchor structure is of the same construction asthat shown in FIGS. 1-3 composed of a relatively long tubular postsupport anchor member 24, provided with a similar reinforcing sleeve 30telescopically installed over its upper ends and positioned such thattheir top surfaces are flush with each other. Both members are ofsimilar polygonal cross section and provided with pluralities ofperforations 28 and 32.

To install the in-ground anchor base structure into the ground 20, thelong tubular post anchor 24 is first driven into the ground to a depthdepending on the length of the anchor member and the soil condition, andto such an extent as to leave a short section protrude from the groundsurface 23 sufficiently to expose the uppermost perforations. Hereafter,the reinforcing sleeve 34 of substantially lesser length than thetubular post anchor member 24 is driven into the ground over the upperportion of the post anchor in telescoping relationship and to suchextent as to align the top of the sleeve flush with the top of the postanchor and thereby likewise provide axial alignment of the uppermostsleeve perforations 32 with the uppermost perforations 28 of the postanchor 24. Thus, when no concrete or blacktop bed is provided, the upperportion of the composite in-ground anchor base structure extends adistance of approximately 3 to 5 inches above the ground surface or justenough to facilitate the insertion of the angle bolt 38 through thealigned perforations for securement of the sign post 34, which, insimilar fashion, is inserted for rigid vertical support within the longtubular post anchor 24. A group of selected perforations 36 are thenbrought in alignment with the already aligned perforations 28 and 32 ofthe base structure to receive the angle bolt 38, which is of similarconstruction as that shown in FIG. 2, for secure fastening of the signpost 34 to the post anchor 24 and reinforcing sleeve 30 diagonallyacross an inner corner of the tubular polygonal members, as previouslydescribed in connection with FIGS. 1-3, which is then tightened by thenut 44.

With particular reference to FIGS. 5 and 6, upon the causation of animpact force against the post member 34 in the direction of the arrow inFIG. 5, the sign post 34 snaps or breaks off immediately above theplanar aligned top surfaces of the post anchor 24 and associatedreinforcing sleeve 30, as shown. The reinforcing sleeve 30 provides thesufficient wall thickness and material strength at the critical bendingarea or breakaway point to allow the sign post 34 to break offsubstantially clean at the top of the composite anchor structure withoutany damage or displacement to the portion of the anchor structureprotruding a small distance above the ground. Under force of the impact,as seen in FIGS. 5 and 6, the enlarged head portion 40 of the angle bolt38 will be sheared off as the sign post 34 is forcibly moved from itsvertical position. As the momentum of the striking object, such as avehicle, continues, the severed sign post 34 falls flat to the ground,as illustrated in FIG. 6, and will cause no further damage to thevehicle moving across it. Although a portion of the in-ground anchorbase protrudes from the ground surface, its height dimension is notsufficient to cause any damage to the under carriage of the vehicle asit travels across it.

To replace the severed sign post 34, the remaining portion 35 of thepost, which is retained within the tubular post anchor 24, can be easilyremoved from the composite anchor base structure, together with thesheared off angle bolt 38, and a new or repaired sign post can beimmediately installed therein to be attached by a new angle bolt 38. Anew angle bolt 38 will be the only additional replacement needed overthe embodiment as illustrated in FIGS. l3.

FIGS. 7-11 illustrate various modes of splicing of a tubular post member34 to increase its length, or, more appropriately, to reinforce the postmember at certain points along its length. These various methods ofsplicing can also be advantageously used in connection with the salvagedsections of the severed post member 34 after it has been broken off fromits in-ground base connection in the manner described in the foregoingdescription of FIGS. 1-6. From that description, it is apparent that thepost member 34 upon impact by a moving object, such as a vehicle, willbe severed or broken at two points along its length, namely: at thepoint of impact, as for instance caused by the bumper of a vehicle, adistance above the ground, and further at a point immediately above theground or above the planar aligned top surface of the reinforcedinground anchor member. Thus, under normal impact conditions, the postmember 34 will be broken into three sections: the upper section carryingthe sign, marker or the like (not shown); an intermediate sectionbetween the actual point of impact and the ground anchor; and a lowersection 35 of the post which remains within the tubular anchor member24, and, as described, remains substantially undisturbed within theanchor member. In most cases, all of these three sections of the severedpost member 34 can be salvaged and reused by cutting off and squaringthe broken and damaged ends of the salvaged post sections and thensplicing the several post sections together by methods such asillustrated in FIGS. 711 to thereby obtain a new post of appropriatelength to be reused with the undamaged in-g round anchor structure 24,30.

In FIG. 7, a salvaged post section 34a having its broken ends cut offsquare, as shown, is provided with a pair of splicing sleeves 50, 52 ofidentical polygonal cross section but slightly larger diameter to bepushed over the ends of the salvaged post section 34a, to which they arethen securely attached by means of the angle bolts 38 through selectedaligned perforations 54 of the splicing sleeves and the perforations 36of the severed post section in a manner as previously described.

In FIG. 8, a method is illustrated to splice together two sections ofsalvaged squared-off post sections 34a, 34b and 34c together by means ofan intermediate splicing sleeve 56 similarly attached thereto throughthe perforations 58 by an angle bolt 38.

The splicing method illustrated in FIG. 9 is similar to that shown inFIG. 8. However, in this instance the salvaged squared-off post sections34d and 34e abut with their inner ends within the splicing sleeve 56 ifthe salvaged sections are still of sufficient length, or, alternately,if another post section is to be attached by a second splicing sleeveover the sufficiently outwardly protruding ends of one or both of thepost sections 34d or 342.

The method of splicing in FIG. 10 is a reverse arrangement from that ofFIG. 9 in which an internal intermediate splicing tube 60 of smallerdiameter is provided for insertion within the abutting squared ends ofthe salvaged post sections 34f and 34g to be spliced together andsecured by means of an angle bolt 38 through aligned perforations 36 ofthe post sections and perforations 62 of the internal splicing member60.

The splicing embodiment in FIG. ll is substantially identi: cal to thatshown in FIG. 7, with the exception that only one splicing sleeve 64 isbeing shown attached by angle bolt 38 to one end of a salvaged postsection 34h.

It will be seen that these and similar relatively simple splicingmethods enable all of the salvaged broken sections of the post member 34to be economically reused by cutting and squaring off the broken endsand then splicing them together using the same angle bolts andtelescoping tubular members as in the original structure, therebyconsiderably reducing costs, inventory and scrap.

From the foregoing description, it will be apparent that a novelstructural post member and improved method of erection and repair hasbeen provided using identical perforated tubular members cut to anydesired length and similar bolt attachment means applicable to thevarious embodiments of the post structure or for the splicing ofsalvaged broken post sections. Due to the provision of a plurality ofperforations along the entire lengths of the tubular members, the weightof the structural members are considerably reduced and permit themembers to be longitudinally adjustably attached to each other and, inaddition, provide a weakened cross section in the plane of theperforations so as to be easily severed at impact without bending orotherwise distorting the severed post sections, so that they can besalvaged and reused.

The polygonal tubular members used in the erection of the improved poststructure herein disclosed are preferably made in accordance with thedisclosures in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,266,051 and 3,437,779, both in the nameof C. W. Atwood, to which further reference may be had.

The present novel structural post member and improved method of erectionprovides a safe, breakaway sign or marker support by the provision of asolid reinforced tubular ground anchor receiving the tubular post memberand attached thereto in such manner that upon impact the post memberwill be severed immediately above the top surface of the ground anchorwithout damaging or displacing the ground anchor itself, and will alsobe broken at the actual point of impact against the post member causedby the bumper or other protruding portion of a vehicle, causing the postmember to be toppled flat onto the ground to allow the vehicle to safelypass thereover. By the very nature and improved erection method of theperforated tubular post members, the impact damage to the vehicle whenstriking the post is negligible and, in most instances, will be nothingmore than a slight dent in the bumper of the vehicle. The serious hazardinherent in conventional post members when struck by a vehicle andcompletely severed to thereby be thrown by the impact onto the vehiclehas been eliminated completely by the present novel post structure.

The present invention may be embodied in certain other forms withoutdeparting from the spirit and essential characteristic thereof,therefore, the present embodiments are to be considered in all respectsas illustrative only and not restrictive, the scope of the inventionbeing indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoingdescription.

lclaim;

l. A composite structural post assembly comprising:

a first tubular member,

a second tubular member telescopically surrounding said first tubularmember,

a third tubular member telescopically inserted within said first tubularmember and extending therefrom a substan tial distance in uprightposition,

said first and said second tubular members being disposed longitudinallyrelative to each other such that their upper end surfaces are disposedin a common plane,

means for rigidly securing said first, said second and said thirdtubular members together to prevent longitudinal movement relative toeach other, and

said third tubular member being provided with means comprising aweakened cross section at a pointjust above said coplanar upper endsurfaces of said first and said second tubular members to thereby permitthe extended portion of said third tubular member to sever along a linesubstantially parallel to said coplanar upper end surfaces of said firstand said second tubular member upon the applica tion of a force theretoin a direction normal to the longitudinal axis of said third tubularmember.

2. The composite structural post assembly as defined in claim 1, inwhich said first, second and third tubular members are provided withlongitudinally spaced perforations adapted to be selectively axiallyaligned upon assembly to be in a coplanar relation with each other.

3. The composite structural post assembly as defined in claim 2, inwhich said perforations in said third tubular member comprise saidweakened cross section portions.

4. The composite structural post assembly as defined in claim 2, inwhich said means rigidly securing said tubular members togethercomprises a nut and bolt assembly for extension through said axiallyaligned perforations immediately below said upper end surfaces of saidfirst and said second tubular member.

5. The composite structural post assembly as defined in claim 4, inwhich said first, second and third tubular members are of polygonalcross section.

a. The composite structural post assembly as defined in claim 5, inwhich said nut and bolt assembly comprises an angle bolt adapted forsecuring extension through a group of aligned perforations disposeddiagonally from each other at two connecting sides of said polygonaltubular members.

7. The composite structural post assembly as defined in claim 3, inwhich said first tubular member is rigidly supported within the ground,and said second tubular member comprising a reinforcing sleevesurrounding the upper portion of said first tubular member within saidground.

8. The composite structural post assembly as defined in claim 7, inwhich said ground is provided with a blacktop surface.

9. The composite structural post assembly as defined in claim 7, inwhich said ground is provided with a concrete surface.

lii. The composite structural post assembly as defined in claim 9, inwhich said concrete surface is recessed around a portion of saidreinforcing sleeve to facilitate insertion and fastening of saidsecuring means so as to be disposed just below the top of said concretesurface.

ill. A method of assembly and erecting a structural breakaway postmember composed of a plurality of perforated tubular members, saidmethod comprising:

driving a first perforated tubular support member of predeterminedlength into a ground for rigid support therein to a distance leaving asmall portion thereof protruding above the surface ofsaid ground,

ll lll telescopically inserting a perforated tubular-reinforcing sleevemember over said protruding portion of said first tubular member,

driving said first tubular support member and said reinforcing sleevemember simultaneously further into said ground such that the upper endsurfaces of said tubular support member and said reinforcing sleevemember will be flush with each other within a common plane,

telescopically inserting a perforated tubular post member of substantiallength within said tubular support member for upright support thereby,

axially aligning a group of said perforations of said tubular supportmember, said tubular sleeve member and said tubular post member andsecuring all of said three members to each other by bolt means extendingthrough a selected group of aligned perforations at a point immediatelyadjacent said surface of said ground, permitting said tubular postmember to be severed at the occasion of an impact force thereagainstalong a line immediately above said coplanar upper end surfaces of saidtubular support member and said sleeve member.

12. in the method of assembly as defined in claim 11 in which saidperforated tubular members are of polygonal cross section, providing aplurality of longitudinal spaced perforations along all sides of saidtubular polygonal members, the further step comprising: inserting saidbolt means through a group of aligned perforations diagonally disposedon two im mediately adjacent sides of said polygonal tubular members.

113. In the method of assembly as defined in claim llll the furthersteps comprising:

providing said ground with a substantially solid loadcarrying surface,

breaking a hole through said solid surface substantially cor respondingto the erosssectional diameter of said reinforcing sleeve,

driving said tubular support member and its associated reinforcingsleeve simultaneously through said hole for penetration of said tubularsupport member into said ground below said solid surface,

aligning the upper ends of the said tubular support member and saidreinforcing sleeve with each other and with the top of said solidsurface to be coplanar with each other,

providing a shallow recess within said solid surface encompassing atleast two sides of said polygonalreinforcing sleeve,

inserting said perforated post member within said tubular supportmember,

aligning a selected group of perforations of said tubular members witheach other and inserting a fastening means comprising an angle boltthrough aligned perforations diagonally disposed opposite from eachother at said two sides encompassed by said shallow recess in said solidsurface so as to be immediately below said coplanar upper ends of saidhollow support member, said reinforcing sleeve and said top of saidsolid surface.

14. A breakaway sign post structure comprising:

a first elongated hollow member, rigidly supported within the groundsubstantially along its entire length,

a second elongated member telescopically inserted within said firstmember for upright extension above the surface of said ground,

means to longitudinally adjustably secure said second member to saidfirst member at a point immediately adjacent said ground surface toprevent longitudinal movement relative to each other,

said second member having a plurality of longitudinally spaced portionsof weakened cross sections disposed therealong such that one of saidportions of said weakened cross section will always be disposed inassembly immediately above said securing means at any longitudinallyadjusted position of said second member relative to said first member topermit the portion of said second member extending above the said groundsurface to sever at said one of said portions of weakened cross sectionsnearest said securing means upon the application thereagainst of animpact force of predetermined magnitude,

a third elongated hollow member comprising a reinforcing sleeve adaptedto surround the upper portion of said first hollow member within saidground,

said reinforcing sleeve being provided with a plurality of perforationsfor extension of said securing means therethrough to secure said first,said second and said third members together,

the top ends of said first hollow member and said reinforcing sleevebeing disposed in coplanar relationship relative to each other, and theportion of said second elongated member extending in upright positionabove said ground surface being adapted to be severed immediatelyadjacent said coplanar aligned top ends of said first hollow member andsaid reinforcing sleeve upon the application thereagainst of said impactforce.

15. A breakaway sign post structure comprising:

a first elongated hollow member, rigidly supported within the groundsubstantially along its entire length and having means reinforcing aportion of its upper end substantially at the ground surface,

a second elongated member telescopically inserted within said firstmember for upright extension above the surface of said ground,

means to longitudinally adjustably secure said second member to thereinforced portion of said first member at a point immediately adjacentsaid ground surface to prevent longitudinal movement relative to eachother,

said second member having a plurality of longitudinally spaced portionsof weakened cross sections spaced therealong such that one of saidportions of said weakened cross sections will always be disposed inassembly immediately above said securing means at any longitudinallyadjusted position of said second member relative to said first member topermit the portion of said second member extending above said groundsurface to sever at one of said portions of weakened cross sectionsnearest said securing means upon the application thereagainst of animpact force of predetermined magnitude.

said reinforcing means including the surface of a roadway shoulderportion, said hollow member being imbedded therein,

said surface of said shoulder portion being provided with a concretebase having a recess around at least a portion of said securing means tofacilitate the assembly thereof.

UNITED S'IATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Patent No3,628,296 Dated Dec. 21, 1971 Inventor(s) HERBERT J. HENRY (UGO-1159-AIt is certified that error appears in the above-identified patent andthat; said Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:

IN THE SPECIFICATION:

Col. 4, line 48, delete "the before "polygonal" Col. 6. line 353, delete"magnitude," and insert therefore, --upon- Col. 6, line 40, change"expanse" to -expense- Col. 8, line 2, after "section" insert -34a- Col.8, line 4, after "sections" delete "34a,"

Col. 8, line 53, change "Atwood" to -Attwoo,d--

IN THE CLAIMS:

Col. 12, line 18, change the period to a comma Signed and sealed this13th day of June 1972.

(SEAL) Attest:

EDWARD M.FL ETC HER, JR R0 BERT GOTT SCHALK Attesting OfficerCommissioner of Patents

1. A composite structural post assembly comprising: a first tubularmember, a second tubular member telescopically surrounding said firsttubular member, a third tubular member telescopically inserted withinsaid first tubular member and extending therefrom a substantial distancein upright position, said first and said second tubular members beingdisposed longitudinally relative to each other such that their upper endsurfaces are disposed in a common plane, means for rigidly securing saidfirst, said second and said third tubular members together to preventlongitudinal movement relative to each other, and said third tubularmember being provided with means comprising a weakened cross section ata point just above said coplanar upper end surfaces of said first andsaid second tubular members to thereby permit the extended portion ofsaid third tubular member to sever along a line substantially parallelto said coplanar upper end surfaces of said first and said secondtubular member upon the application of a force thereto in a directionnormal to the longitudinal axis of said third tubular member.
 2. Thecomposite structural post assembly as defined in claim 1, in which saidfirst, second and third tubular members are provided with longitudinallyspaced perforations adapted to be selectively axially aligned uponassembly to be in a coplanar relation with each other.
 3. The compositestructural post assembly as defined in claim 2, in which saidperforations in said third tubular member comprise said weakened crosssection portions.
 4. The composite structural post assembly as definedin claim 2, in which said means rigidly securing said tubular memberstogether comprises a nut and bolt assembly for extension through saidaxially aligned perforations immediately below said upper end surfacesof said first and said second tubular member.
 5. The compositestructural post assembly as defined in claim 4, in which said first,second and third tubular members are of polygonal cross section.
 6. Thecomposite structural post assembly as defined in claim 5, in which saidnut and bolt assembly comprises an angle bolt adapted for securingextension through a group of aligned perforations disposed diagonallyfrom each other at two connecting sides of said polygonal tubularmembers.
 7. The composite structural post assembly as defined in claim1, in which said first tubular member is rigidly supported within theground, and said second tubular member comprising a reinforcing sleevesurrounding the upper portion of said first tubular member within saidground.
 8. The composite structural post assembly as defined in claim 7,in which said ground is provided with a blacktop surface.
 9. Thecomposite structural post assembly as defined in claim 7, in which saidground is provided with a concrete surface.
 10. The composite structuralpost assembly as defined in claim 9, in which said concrete surface isrecessed around a portion of said reinforcing sleeve to facilitateinsertion and fastening of said securing means so as to be disposed justbelow the top of said concrete surface.
 11. A method of assembly anderecting a structural breakaway post member composed of a plurality ofperforated tubular members, said method comprising: driving a firstperforated tubular support member of predetermined length into a groundfor rigid support therein to a distance leaving a small portion thereofprotruding above the surface of said ground, telescopically inserting aperforated tubular-reinforcing sleEve member over said protrudingportion of said first tubular member, driving said first tubular supportmember and said reinforcing sleeve member simultaneously further intosaid ground such that the upper end surfaces of said tubular supportmember and said reinforcing sleeve member will be flush with each otherwithin a common plane, telescopically inserting a perforated tubularpost member of substantial length within said tubular support member forupright support thereby, axially aligning a group of said perforationsof said tubular support member, said tubular sleeve member and saidtubular post member and securing all of said three members to each otherby bolt means extending through a selected group of aligned perforationsat a point immediately adjacent said surface of said ground, permittingsaid tubular post member to be severed at the occasion of an impactforce thereagainst along a line immediately above said coplanar upperend surfaces of said tubular support member and said sleeve member. 12.In the method of assembly as defined in claim 11 in which saidperforated tubular members are of polygonal cross section, providing aplurality of longitudinal spaced perforations along all sides of saidtubular polygonal members, the further step comprising: inserting saidbolt means through a group of aligned perforations diagonally disposedon two immediately adjacent sides of said polygonal tubular members. 13.In the method of assembly as defined in claim 11 the further stepscomprising: providing said ground with a substantially solidload-carrying surface, breaking a hole through said solid surfacesubstantially corresponding to the cross-sectional diameter of saidreinforcing sleeve, driving said tubular support member and itsassociated reinforcing sleeve simultaneously through said hole forpenetration of said tubular support member into said ground below saidsolid surface, aligning the upper ends of the said tubular supportmember and said reinforcing sleeve with each other and with the top ofsaid solid surface to be coplanar with each other, providing a shallowrecess within said solid surface encompassing at least two sides of saidpolygonal-reinforcing sleeve, inserting said perforated post memberwithin said tubular support member, aligning a selected group ofperforations of said tubular members with each other and inserting afastening means comprising an angle bolt through aligned perforationsdiagonally disposed opposite from each other at said two sidesencompassed by said shallow recess in said solid surface so as to beimmediately below said coplanar upper ends of said hollow supportmember, said reinforcing sleeve and said top of said solid surface. 14.A breakaway sign post structure comprising: a first elongated hollowmember, rigidly supported within the ground substantially along itsentire length, a second elongated member telescopically inserted withinsaid first member for upright extension above the surface of saidground, means to longitudinally adjustably secure said second member tosaid first member at a point immediately adjacent said ground surface toprevent longitudinal movement relative to each other, said second memberhaving a plurality of longitudinally spaced portions of weakened crosssections disposed therealong such that one of said portions of saidweakened cross section will always be disposed in assembly immediatelyabove said securing means at any longitudinally adjusted position ofsaid second member relative to said first member to permit the portionof said second member extending above the said ground surface to severat said one of said portions of weakened cross sections nearest saidsecuring means upon the application thereagainst of an impact force ofpredetermined magnitude, a third elongated hollow member comprising areinforcing sleeve adapted to surround the upper portion of said firsthollow member within said Ground, said reinforcing sleeve being providedwith a plurality of perforations for extension of said securing meanstherethrough to secure said first, said second and said third memberstogether, the top ends of said first hollow member and said reinforcingsleeve being disposed in coplanar relationship relative to each other,and the portion of said second elongated member extending in uprightposition above said ground surface being adapted to be severedimmediately adjacent said coplanar aligned top ends of said first hollowmember and said reinforcing sleeve upon the application thereagainst ofsaid impact force.
 15. A breakaway sign post structure comprising: afirst elongated hollow member, rigidly supported within the groundsubstantially along its entire length and having means reinforcing aportion of its upper end substantially at the ground surface, a secondelongated member telescopically inserted within said first member forupright extension above the surface of said ground, means tolongitudinally adjustably secure said second member to the reinforcedportion of said first member at a point immediately adjacent said groundsurface to prevent longitudinal movement relative to each other, saidsecond member having a plurality of longitudinally spaced portions ofweakened cross sections spaced therealong such that one of said portionsof said weakened cross sections will always be disposed in assemblyimmediately above said securing means at any longitudinally adjustedposition of said second member relative to said first member to permitthe portion of said second member extending above said ground surface tosever at one of said portions of weakened cross sections nearest saidsecuring means upon the application thereagainst of an impact force ofpredetermined magnitude. said reinforcing means including the surface ofa roadway shoulder portion, said hollow member being imbedded therein,said surface of said shoulder portion being provided with a concretebase having a recess around at least a portion of said securing means tofacilitate the assembly thereof.